The long-term unemployed will be forced to carry out unpaid work in exchange for receiving state benefits, under a plan being considered by the Government.

In what would amount to a major expansion of so-called “workfare”, those who go through the Government’s main back-to-work scheme without finding a job would be told to complete work experience. Anyone who refused to do so would have their out-of-work benefits removed.

The proposals could be unveiled as soon as next week, as part of the Conservative Party conference.

A source close to Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, said that it